Former ESPN baseball analyst Curt Schilling told a Boston talk-radio show he was “not going to waste my time with people I don’t respect” by accepting a debate challenge from the network’s Stephen A. Smith, blasting his ex-colleague as a “racist” and “bigot.”
The former Red Sox pitcher announced his decision on WEEI Radio’s “Dennis and Callahan Show” Thursday morning, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Mr. Schilling was fired from the cable sports network in April after he posted a controversial meme to his Facebook wall which was critical of transgender individuals using restrooms which don’t correspondent to their biological gender.
Mr. Schilling maintains he was fired for his outspoken conservative beliefs.
Mr. Smith himself is no stranger to controversy and network disciplinary action. In the summer of 2014, he was suspended for one week after making comments suggesting that Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice’s then-fiancee Janay Palmer was partially to blame for an assault by Mr. Rice that left her unconscious.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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